Annie Cardi's Blog

Special delivery, for your inbox.

The world is a rough place. Being a human can be exhausting. I can’t make the bad stuff go away, but I can share some cozy things that might help you feel a little better.

Updates

Hi all! I’ve merged Care Package (my newsletter about all things cozy) with my regular blog/newsletter space. MailChimp’s delivery had become very unreliable so I’m hoping that putting everything in one place will be cleaner. I’m slowly transferring old issues over here, too, so you can go back to any content you may have missed. Feel free to update your subscription info as appropriate. Onto the regular cozy content!

Do: Build a Fire

Back in the early days of COVID, Walt and I bought a fire pit for our patio. We weren’t going anywhere and, after days of working plus chasing a toddler around the house, we thought it would be nice to sit outside and enjoy a slightly different setting. Turns out it was the right call! Anytime we got a fire going, we’d sit outside and talk and drink our preferred beverages and enjoy the night air. Inevitably, we’d fall silent, listening to the fire crackle, until one of us would say “fire’s great.”

Fire is great! It’s the thing that gives us cooking (thanks, fire!), warmth, plus it has that hypnotic quality akin to being by the ocean.

That said, I’m not generally comfortable with fire. I prefer someone else be responsible for the making of and tending to. But I do enjoy being next to a cozy fire.

Not that you have to have a fire pit to enjoy the coziness of making a fire. Fireplaces and camp fires are great for that, too. Even having a streaming fireplace on your tv or laptop while a candle burns can bring the cozy vibe in.

Recently, we had a friend and her daughter over. Instead of hanging out at the kitchen table while the kids played and watched KPop Demon Hunters (which is fantastic by the way), we made a fire and ate pizza and s’mores outside. It was so cozy and special and still comfortable and unforced. Now that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer and colder, I fully support gathering around a fire with people you love.

Read: Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

I’d heard about Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All when it was named a Newbery Honor book for 2025. I borrowed a digital copy from the library when I was traveling this summer, but I didn’t know much about the story overall. I flew through it, partly because it’s a shorter book and partly because the story was just so charming and touching that I kept wanting to spend time with the characters.

The story follows 10-year-old Magnolia Wu, who helps at her family’s laundromat. When the daughter of a family friend moves in, Magnolia is swept into an adventure of reconnecting lost socks with their owners and forging connections across her neighborhood.

The tone reminded me so much of the middle grade I love, especially the city kid joy of When You Reach Me and Counting Thyme and the immigrant family dynamics of Front Desk and Red, White, and Whole. Miller brings sensitivity, sweetness, and care to all of her characters. It’s the kind of book that makes me wish I had a fourth grade class to share it with because I think it would start such great discussions with the younger middle grade age set, but highly recommended for readers of all ages who want a charming, touching story about the communities we create.

Eat: Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Sausage

I saw the basic recipe for this linked from a newsletter (which I unfortunately can’t find now) and thought “okay that sounds tasty, but is this going to work?” I ended up looking up a few different versions and they all seemed similar so I thought I’d give it a try. Y’all, it was so easy and delicious. Plus it’s really adaptable so you can do it without the sausage and chickpeas instead if you wanted to keep it vegan or use different vegetables based on what you like and have in your fridge.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Sausage
Adapted from
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half1 big head of broccoli or a bag of florets (fresh), cut into bite-sized pieces1 head of garlic, keeping each clove whole but peeled1 lb sausage (uncooked), cut into bite-sized pieces (you can use any kind of sausage)1-2 bags of fresh gnocchiolive oilsaltpepper

Preheat your oven to 425. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Put your vegetables in a bowl with your sausage. Add a glug or two of olive oil and mix. Put the gnocchi in another bowl and make sure it’s got a really good couple glugs of olive oil on it. Mix so all the gnocchi is coated. (You could mix everything altogether, but I found that the gnocchi needed an extra splash of oil to cook it without getting it too crispy and dried out.)

Spread the mixture onto the parchment paper, making sure there aren’t any big piles. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Bake for 20-30 minutes. (You can check how things are going at 20 and stir things around a little if everything needs a shift.) Serve with bread.

Do Good

This is a financially hard time for a lot of people, so it’s important to support organizations dedicated to ending hunger, such as:

No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.Feeding America, a network of food banks that feeds more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.Project Bread, which connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessibleBodo Bulletin

This week in Bodo news:

Cooler days mean longer walks.

The Good News CornerThese two guys in Eastern Massachusetts set world records over and over, and became close friends along the wayNotre-Dame Cathedral hosts first wedding in 30 years — for carpenter who helped rebuild it after devastating blazeSee the largest, most detailed radio image of the Milky Way yet

Subscribe

Welcome (Back)

I’ve been doing some website-related updates and trying to consolidate my online communication stuff here. Blogging used to be such a huge part of my online experience and it made sense to bring things back here instead of trying yet another newsletter platform. So whether you’re on my site or getting this via email, welcome!

Where I’ve Been

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the New England Independent Booksellers Association’s (NEIBA) fall conference in New Hampshire to talk about Winter White at one of the children’s author breakfasts. When I mentioned to my writing group that I was asked to attend, they were so enthusiastic. A couple had previously worked in indie bookstores in New England. “NEIBA is the conference to go to,” one said.

I can’t compare it to other indie conferences, but I had a great time. The booksellers I met there were so gracious and thoughtful, and I loved hearing from the other authors/illustrators about their upcoming books. It was especially nice to meet with Alex, a bookseller I’d previously worked with at Brookline Booksmith events. They introduced me at the breakfast and had such kind things to say about Winter White.

It was my first time talking about Winter White in public, not just with people in publishing or my writing group and honestly, it was a little strange to be moving from that phase of ‘this is a thing I’m working on’ to ‘this is a thing for other people now. But as one of my writing group friends told me, this was a super friendly crowd. Indie booksellers are the best.

Where I’ll Be

I’m so thrilled to be at the Young Adult Author Symposium (YAAS) on Saturday, November 15! This is the second year they’ll be running YAAS, and it’s awesome to have a YA-specific, large-scale event in the Greater Boston area.

Years ago, there was the Boston Teen Author Festival, which I took part in when The Change You Won’t Return was first published. Unfortunately, organizing a giant event with a bunch of authors and local readers is a tough job, especially if it’s not a paid job for most of the organizers. So when COVID hit, the BTAF never came back. It was understandable, but kind of heartbreaking for YA fans in New England.

So when I heard about YAAS, I was thrilled. One of the YAAS organizers, Kip Wilson, is a fellow YA author I’ve known for years. Her books are largely historical novels-in-verse and must-reads.

If you’re in the Boston area, come out to Concord on Saturday, November 15. You can check out the festival information, including the schedule, author line-up, and breakout session info to plan your day. I’ll have swag on hand and maybe some advanced reader copies of Winter White to give away, too.

What I’ve Been Into

Last year, Walt read The Power Broker by Robert Caro and kept telling me a little about the book and how its central figure, Robert Moses, shaped so much of New York City by sheer force of will. It’s a big ol’ doorstop book and I didn’t think I’d be that interested in a book about the infrastructure of New York. But I ended up reading Robert Caro’s Working, largely about his writing and research process, and it was so fascinating and well-written that I thought, Damnit, I’m going to have to read The Power Broker.

So I read The Power Broker.

Y’all, it’s really good.

It won the Pulitzer prize in 1975, so it’s not like people haven’t been aware of how good this book is for fifty years. But if you, too, think it’s a lot of book to get through, trust me–it’s deeply compelling. It’s also available in audiobook, so you can listen to the story of Robert Moses and get furious as you walk your dog around the neighborhood or do the dishes (just as an example).

Other (more recently published) books I’ve been enjoying:

The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner, a middle grade novel-in-verse that deals with grief, loss, and love in the most touching ways.The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, the exact kind of charming, cozy fantasy I was looking for. I think this one is technically in the adult fantasy section but is extremely appropriate for teen readers, too. The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin, a new middle grade novel from one of my favorite fantasy middle grade novelists working today.

What have you been reading/listening to/experiencing? Share your recent favorites in the comments!

I’m so excited to share the cover of my next book, Winter White! The official reveal post is up at Pop! Goes the Reader, along with a little about the main character, Pia, and how books and the local library are essential to her emotional journey.

Major thanks to artist David Curtis, who designed the cover (along with many other amazing covers you’ll probably recognize).

Winter White comes out on January 27, 2026, but you can pre-order a copy now at any of your favorite book retailers.

Special delivery, for your inbox.

The world is a rough place. Being a human can be exhausting. I can’t make the bad stuff go away, but I can share some cozy things that might help you feel a little better.

Take a Nature Walk

I was at the playground with my kids over the weekend and they were both getting grumpy. My youngest wanted to be in the swing, no out actually, no back in. My oldest wanted to play with my youngest but she wasn’t playing the way he wanted and why couldn’t she just sit in the ride-on toy so he could push her around? But I had a great parenting idea: let’s take a nature walk. The playground was right along a wooded path for walking and biking, so I put my youngest in the stroller, found a nature scavenger hunt sheet online, and we headed into the woods.

The walk turned around everyone’s mood. My oldest got excited in making sure we checked off each item with encountered and my youngest was happy to look for a butterfly or dandelion. Even though we were barely ten yards from the playground and tennis courts, it felt like a little respite and was both calming and energizing. Nature walks are a great chance for you to appreciate the world around you, look at things in a new perspective, and enjoy some quiet.

Three things I want to emphasize:

This was not a hike. A hike feels more strenuous. A hike is longer. A hike should be planned. A hike should include snacks and breaks. This is just a little walk through some trees. This could also occur along the edge of a pond or by the ocean. This could even occur through a nice garden. The point is just that you’re in nature and far enough away from a lot of other people and not distracted by other things like your phone. It’s basically Shinrin-yoku aka forest bathing plus some more exuberance and maybe a scavenger hunt checklist. You don’t have a particular endpoint and can turn around at any time.You don’t need a nature scavenger hunt sheet, but it is a nice bonus, especially if you’re walking with small humans who like to find things.If you want you can sing the opening song from Into the Woods but it’s also not required.Watch: Bob’s Burgers

I’m weirdly picky about animated shows that are intended for a teen/adult audience. I grew up firmly in the era of The Simpsons and was never a fan (sorry, Walt!). In my perspective, a lot of animated shows for adults have a cynicism and subversive vibe that I don’t enjoy, especially when paired with the potential caricature-ness of animation. So when Bob’s Burgers premiered, I largely ignored it at first. But then I ended up watching an episode (thanks, Walt!) and another and another and now I feel blessed whenever there’s a new one.

The show follows the Belcher family—parents Bob and Linda, kids Tina, Louise, and Gene—as they run their burger restaurant and navigate life’s often wacky challenges. Initially, it seems very Simpson-esque, with a working class family of five and a zany cast of characters. The difference for me is that the core of Bob’s Burgers is always very much about how the family loves and supports each other, even when they’re total weirdos. (I know that early Simpsons seasons hits that vibe, too, please don’t come at me.) Bob never becomes a caricature or spins out into idiot dad territory—he’s a very stable person who deeply loves cooking burgers and his family. Linda is the more extreme of the two, but she’s fiercely loyal and enthusiastic about pretty much everything and I honestly say “all right!” like her way too often. But I think the show really shines for the kid characters—Tina, Louise, and Gene are all their own brands of weird, but the show never shames them for who they are and often the story will support them being open in their hopes and dreams and quirks. I’ve legit teared up over multiple episodes because of this.

The show’s been running for fifteen seasons now and every episode I think “this one can’t be as good” and damnit it is. That said, I would recommend skipping the first season and only going back once you already love all the Belchers because they do take a little time to find their footing. Otherwise, it’s wall-to-wall bangers. Bonus: every episode includes at least three puns plus songs. You can even make the burgers for real!

Eat: Tofu Scramble

I don’t like eggs or cheese so pretty much any scramble on a restaurant’s menu doesn’t work for me. But I came across the tofu scramble and knew that this was a game changer. This is barely a recipe because it’s so adaptable—you can add whatever spices or veggies or sauces you want. My favorite is a kind of southwestern vibe that uses a bell pepper and kale. Bonus points if you have it with roasted potatoes.

Tofu Scramble
Adapted from Minimalist Baker
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

1-2 tbsp olive oil1 onion, diced1 bell pepper, diced3-4 garlic gloves, chopped2 packages of firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed to remove extra water and crumbled into chunky pieces2 tsp salt1 1/2 tsp cumin1 tsp paprika1/2 tsp nutritional yeast1/4-1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)1-2 handfuls of kale, washed and torn into pieces

Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened. (This always takes me much longer than I think it will). Add the garlic toward the end of the softening process.

Add the crumbled up tofu and spices. Sauté everything together until things are smelling really fragrant. Add handfuls of kale and sauté those in as well until they’re wilted. Once everything is mixed in and smells good, you’re done.

Serve with toast and/or roasted potatoes.

Do Good

The situation in Gaza continues to be bleak, but we can’t give up on trying to get aid to the people devastated by this conflict. Aid groups working in this area include:

Doctors Without BordersOxfam AmericaIslamic Relief USASave the ChildrenBodo Bulletin

This week in Bodo news:

Different setting, same snooze.

The Good News CornerArchaeologists in Peru unveil 3,500-year-old city that linked coast and AndesA cat was dubbed Somerville’s ‘bike path mayor.’ Now neighborhood pets are vying to unseat her.Puppy helps over 60 villagers escape catastrophic landslide: ‘Without him, we might not be here’

Subscribe

Subscribe to keep reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.

Subscribe

Subscribe to keep reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.

Subscribe

Subscribe to keep reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.

Subscribe

Subscribe to keep reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.

Subscribe

Subscribe to keep reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.

Subscribe

I kept thinking of the ‘best of 2024’ book lists that come out between November and December (even before the last books are released in 2024) and how they don’t always sit right with me. There are always great books that are left out. And what does ‘best’ even mean? The best book for one reader might not be the best for another.

So I’ve put together a list of some books I read in 2024 (some of which were published this year, some of which are older) that I would highly recommend, in no particular order. Here we go!

Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson with illustrations by Ekua Holmes. A gorgeous and powerful collection of poetry and images. I kept wanting to highlight specific lines and share them with the person next to me.

For Girls Who Walk Through Fire by Kim DeRose. If Promising Young Woman met The Craft, DeRose weaves a story of magic and pain and power and community.

Rez Ball by Byron Graves. A grounded, funny, and moving portrayal of a teen boy striving to take his reservation high school basketball team to state after the untimely death of his beloved older brother.

White Rose by Kip Wilson. A novel-in-verse from the perspective of college student Sophie Scholl, who spoke out against the Nazi regime as part of the White Rose resistance group. All too timely and gorgeously powerful.

The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin. A true survivor story, centered around a teen girl who finds a pack of wild girls living in the woods and discovers the deep connections they have as they navigate the often cruel ‘real world.’

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr. A novel-in-verse about a teen girl standing up against the powerful pastor who abused her. I finished this in one sitting it was so good!

Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire by Paula Yoo. A phenomenally researched and written look at the assault of Rodney King and the LA civil unrest that followed, digging into the history and relationships of Black and Korean communities in that area.

Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu. The perfect blend of contemporary middle grade and fantasy horror in this moving adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper. I wish I could give this to my sixth-grade self!

Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo. A novel-in-verse about a teen poet who navigates between her traditional Sudanese upbringing and her contemporary American friends as she falls under the sway of a charming older poet.

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. Fantastic and fresh world-building as a Native American teen enters a magic school to learn how to work with the young dragon who bonded to her at birth.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Both personal and expansive, one woman’s story of her young acting life, particularly her relationship with a now-famous star, as told to her young adult children during COVID. Sharply written and thoughtful.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. Sweet and charming and surprisingly touching, this fantasy tale of an orc who establishes the first coffee shop in a small town is exactly as good as the hype suggests.

What were some of your favorite books from 2024? Share them in the comments!